Update on the "Duct Tape Dog" Case - Martinsburg WV

Pet-Abuse.com provides the following update in the Martinsburg WV "Duct-Tape Dog" case:

If you wish to contact the prosecutor in this case to urge for vigorous prosecution, contact:

Pamela Jean Games-Neely, Prosecuting Attorney for Berkeley County
380 West South Street, Suite 1100
Martinsburg, WV 25401
ph: 304-264-1971; fax: 304-263-6092

-----------

This is the original newstory from www.your4state.com (WHAG-TV 25):

BERKELEY COUNTY, WV - November 14, 2008

Animal control officers are calling it one of the worst cases of animal abuse they've seen.

A pit bull was found in an attic with evidence that its mouth had been duct-taped shut and chained.

The three-year-old dog was emaciated, neglected and abused, with open wounds on its face that are too graphic to show.

Witnesses say the abuse had gone on for weeks.

Berkeley County Animal Control and city police found the dog Wednesday.

On Thursday police arrested Randall Siford, Jr. and Breshannon Devereux.

Angela Brown moved into the neighborhood recently and has two pit bulls of her own. She says she never knew the two had a dog because she never saw them with one before.

Statements given to police say the dog named Ice was beaten repeatedly.

“That saddens me because pit bulls already have a bad name, and it's because of stuff like that I think that's why half of them are viscous,” Brown said.

Ice is now getting a warmer reception in the hands of Berkeley County Animal Control until the case goes to court.

Riford and Devereaux are charged with felony animal cruelty. If they're not convicted, Ice will be turned back over to them.

Felony animal cruelty carries a maximum five-year sentence in West Virginia.